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la processione
Later on the day of the saint’s feast, Santa Rosalia was carried on a procession through the town. A trio of priests led the way, and a marching band followed. The saint is heavy – and top-heavy, too – so there were frequent stops. The local residents followed on the sidewalks or crowded into the street.
Because our visit was well-known in Bivona and because we’d met the Mayor earlier that day, he was kind about waving us into good positions in front of the procession. And the townspeople were also very nice about our participation in an event that was a sacred day for them but which could have easily been perceived as a novelty to us. It was easy to get caught up in the magic (which is a thing that sounds like an easy cliche, but it really did feel that way).
Bivona, Sicily
photographed 9.4.2022
technology and the ancient saint
I would guess that nearly everyone at the church that day used their phones to document at least part of what was going on.
Chiesa Parrocchiale di Santa Rosalia
Bivona, Sicily
photographed 9.4.2022
preparing for the move
“How weird that my eyes are so sweaty.” -actual thought I had, standing on that church balcony.
Our group was in Bivona, Sicily, on the feast day for the their patron saint, Santa Rosalia. Following Mass, the church members prepared to move the saint from her niche in the front of the church. Later that day, men of the town would carry her on their shoulders as they processed through the narrow streets. It was the first time they’d been able to hold the Mass and procession since 2019. It was clearly an emotional event.
Through our outstanding tour leader, Allison Scola, from Experience Sicily, we had remarkable access to the day’s events, including getting to watch the process of moving Santa Rosalia from a vantage point that gave us a unique view.
And this is the part I cannot explain – and I’ve been trying to understand it every day since it happened. The faith shown by the townspeople seemed so pure, so real, so honest, so truthful, so much a part of their lives. It was the most honest expression of faith (and maybe even of Faith, since that’s two different things, perhaps) that I have ever witnessed. I didn’t understand what anyone was saying. I don’t have any particular knowledge of Catholic traditions. I am generally a skeptical person. But this: it wasn’t so much that my eyes were sweating. It was in fact tears, tears I couldn’t stop, tears I was surprised to be shedding, tears at the beauty, the faith that I was witnessing.
I still don’t understand it in ways that I can write down. But, I know what I saw. I know how it impacted me. I know I will never be the same.
And that’s a lot.
Chiesa Parrocchiale di Santa Rosalia
Bivona, Sicily
photographed 9.4.2022
boat, clinging to the day
Our quartet of roving photographers had been down to the harbor earlier in the day, and we went back hoping for a dramatic sunset. And while we didn’t get that, we did get a chance to photograph the last bits of light as they slid across the boats and the water and all the other things.
Palermo, Sicily
photographed 8.30.2022
market needlework
My mom made all of my clothes (except for my Girl Scout uniforms and swim suits). And while I absolutely did not get her abilities for or interest in sewing, I appreciate the art involved.
And maybe that’s why these clothes (which were hanging from a metal panel that had a bit of a makeshift look to it) at a Sicilian market caught my attention. But, really, though, why would anyone overlook that delicate pink and white edging on that sleeve?
La Vucciria Market
Palermo, Sicily
photographed 8.30.2022
